Celebrity real estate: JFK, Steven Spielberg

Zillow Published: June 6, 2014 1:29 PM

By Laura Vecsey

‘Winter White House’ Wows in Palm Beach

Once the winter home for John F. and Jackie Kennedy, the 15,000-square-foot mansion has hit the market after an impressive makeover that has apparently translated into a whopping price tag of $38.5 million.

According to Curbed, the Kennedy family last sold the “Winter White House” in 1995 to investment bank CEO John K. Castle for $4.9M. The 1920s Mediterranean revival mansion looks ready for its close-up, courtesy of a $6 million renovation.

With 11 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, the home was built in 1925 by architect Addison Mizner for department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker. Curbed reports that John F.'s dad Joseph P. Kennedy “bought the place in 1933 for $120K.”

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While the history of the place continues to unfold, and the renovations have spruced it up to new, glamorous heights, one thing about the property remains the same, regardless of how many Kennedy’s slept there: Sweeping, direct ocean views.

Blockbuster Listing for Spielberg’s Vacant Land in Hamptons

In Hollywood, Steven Spielberg is a creative force behind some of the film industry’s biggest movies. On Long Island – not so much.

In 2008, the mighty director purchased a 3.3-acre waterfront parcel in East Hampton for $20 million. The property at 94 Apaquogue Rd. sported a traditional-styled 1900s-era home – which Spielberg promptly had demolished.

But if the idea had been to replace the home with something far more fitting for an entertainment industry titan, it did not happen. Now the lot has been listed for sale for $24.5 million.

But don’t worry about whether Spielberg has a place to crash when he’s hanging with the rich and famous in the tony enclave. Word is he’s got two other properties in the area.